More than 30 turtles found dead in Guatemala

Over 30 dead sea turtles have been found mutilated and with signs of suffocation on Guatemala’s southern coast, authorities said.

The turtles were found on the beaches of Monterrico and Sipacate, the National Council of Protected Areas said.

The animals died of suffocation after being trapped in fishing nets, the organisation said, adding that fishermen were allegedly using fish hooks in prohibited areas.

According to the country’s laws, fishing nets must be equipped with turtle excluder devices (TED), which allow trapped turtles to escape easily.

The appearance of dead turtles was worrying because the nesting season has just begun and efforts to protect sea turtles are already under threat, said Jose Martinez, head of the organisation’s hydro-biological resources department.

Six sea turtle species nest in Guatemala and all are in danger of extinction due to poaching, over-harvesting of their eggs and pollution.